Protecting Your FFL

Last month firearms distributor AcuSport gave dealers an exclusive first look at FFLGuard, a new legal service offered by the Chiafullo Group, a law firm based in New Jersey. The program is designed to provide legal assistance to independent gun retailers in the event of an ATF compliance investigation or civil litigation aimed at scrutinizing the dealer’s business practices—but without the costly expenses customarily associated with retaining legal counsel.

“Our mission at AcuSport is to enhance our customers’ businesses by providing or endorsing products and services that add ‘real value,’” said Kenan Ikels, director of marketing for AcuSport. “Our endorsement of FFLGuard supports the long-term sustainability of these businesses by providing a first line of legal defense against the one thing that can shut them down faster than anything else—the loss of their Federal Firearms License.”

“Each year, the ATF conducts more than seven thousand FFL inspections for compliance,” said Chris Chiafullo, principal of the group.

But that’s not the only issue.

“Politically motivated lawsuits are not uncommon, as best evidenced by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ongoing strategy to bankrupt FFL dealers by lawsuit,” he said.

A cornerstone feature of FFLGuard is the Audit Response Unit. In the event of an ATF compliance audit, an FFLGuard professional will be assigned to assist with all aspects of the audit on the dealer’s behalf. Working under the direction of the program’s designated counsel, the FFLGuard professional will interact directly with the ATF inspecting officials and will keep the legal team apprised of the potential for a warning conference or revocation hearing. The assigned legal counsel will draft an attorney/client report, attend all conferences and hearings and work directly with the ATF to draft a dealer-specific Memoranda of Understanding in order to avoid an FFL revocation. (888-335-4731; FFLGuard.com)